FanDuel NHL Lineup Advice: Saturday (12/1)

As we enter the holiday season children are dreaming and hoping for some shiny new toy. In the NHL, Christmas has come early for some teams. The Toronto Maple Leafs got their shiny red bike in Auston Matthews returning from injury as if he never missed a game. The Pittsburgh Penguins got their favorite present, in Sid The Kid, back. And the Minnesota Wild found an early present in Devan Dubnyk returning from injury. These players of note have helped boost their team’s production since their return and have helped their fantasy teams as well.

Lest we forget and get caught up in the holiday craze we must focus on the task at hand and that is to comprise the most productive Saturday FanDuel squad. With some of these key players back it makes things even more interesting. Some games of note are Pittsburgh vs. Philadelphia. The Penguins have a high-powered offense (especially with the return of Sidney Crosby) and the Flyers have given up the 4th most goals in the NHL so watch for a high scoring game. Another game that should provide offensive fireworks is the Predators vs. Blackhawks. The Blackhawks have given up the 3rd most goals in the NHL this season and the Predators are a Top 10 offense that can exploit that weakness. Look out for Filip Forsberg, Ryan Johansen, etc. to fill up the stat sheet in that game. And last but not least, the Lightning vs. Panthers should be a game chock full of scoring potential. The Panthers have let up the 6th most goals in the league and their inter-state rival the Lightning have the weapons to exploit that. A few names to watch are Brayden Point, Nikita Kucherov, Steven Stamkos, etc. Those are the games with the most scoring potential so now without further adieu lets turn our attention to specific players to put into your lineup to win your FanDuel contest.

Center

Auston Matthews (TOR): $7,700 vs MIN
No surprises here. The only surprise was how strong Matthews looked in his first game back off of the injured reserve. With 2 goals and 1 assist in his first game in a month Matthews dispelled any notion that his scorching start to the season was extinguished with his injury. Matthews now has a staggering 12 goals and 7 assists in 12 games this season for a robust 24.2 FPPG. Undervalued at $7,700 due to his recent return from injury should provide a rare opportunity to get Matthews at a bargain price. There could be talk of match-ups but to be honest Matthews lights up any team he plays against. Grab Matthews while he is a steal at $7,700.

Matt Duchene (OTT): $6,600 vs SJS
Duchene is one of the bigger surprises in the NHL so far this season. His talent has never been in question but rather his ability to translate that into consistent production. It looks like after several seasons of mediocre play Duchene has ascended back to the elite of the league. Duchene has 12 goals and 21 assists through 26 games for over a point-per-game and 16.9 FPPG in FanDuel. Duchene has 2 goals and 4 assists in his last 5 games as well. Duchene gets a good matchup against a San Jose squad that has a shaky goaltending combo in Martin Jones and Aaron Dell that will be hard pressed to quell the offense of the Ottawa Senators and Matt Duchene.

Wing

Max Pacioretty (VGK): $6,400 vs EDM
“Patches” is back! After an off-year with the Canadiens last season, Pacioretty looks poised to rebound in his new environs in Vegas. Initially, Pacioretty got off to a slow start but has come on like gangbusters of late. Pacioretty has 6 goals and 3 assists in his last 5 games and 10 goals and 5 assists through 23 games. Pacioretty has a FPPG of 12.1 in FanDuel for a reasonable price tag of $6,400. The Golden Knights have been on a hot streak of late and Pacioretty has been a big reason why. Pacioretty will get an Oilers team that has its share of offensive firepower but a vulnerable defense. Although Mikko Koskinen has looked good of late, you should start Pacioretty with confidence in your FanDuel contest.

Tomas Hertl (SJS): $5,400 vs OTT
Hertl has been a complementary player to his linemates Logan Couture and Joe Pavelski so far this year. Hertl comes at a fraction of the cost of Couture and Pavelski too. On the season Hertl has 6 goals and 12 assists through 21 games. Hertl is on the second even strength and first power play lines so he is seeing many scoring opportunities. With a previous career high of 46 points, Hertl looks like he may be on his way to surpassing that high and having a breakout season. Hertl has a solid 12.7 FPPG in FanDuel and is available at a very affordable $5,400. Hertl has a phenomenal match-up on Saturday against the Ottawa Senators. The Senators score goals and let up goals in bunches so look to Hertl to add to your scoring in your FanDuel contest too.

Alex Tuch (VGK): $5,400 vs EDM
Traditionally it would not be promoted to start multiple players from the same team. As the cliche goes, “don’t put all your eggs in one basket” but if they are golden (knights) eggs than you can throw caution to the wayside. Tuch has been a super sleeper since coming off the injured reserve earlier in the season. Tuch has been magical teaming up with, also suggested, Max Pacioretty. The two have been a huge part of the Golden Knights recent success. Tuch has 8 goals and 12 assists through 19 games and 3 goals and 5 assists in his last 5 games. Tuch has a strong 15.7 FPPG in FanDuel and is available at a fantastic price of $5,400. As mentioned earlier, the Vegas Golden Knights have a match-up against a high octane offense in Edmonton but a defense that allows some goals so put Tuch in your lineup and watch the points roll in.

Brock Boeser (VAN): $6,100 vs DAL
After missing most of the month of November, Boeser came back strong with 2 goals in his second game of the injured reserve. The Calder Trophy finalist from last season has had a rocky start to his sophomore season due to injuries. Boeser has produced when healthy though with 6 goals and 7 assists through 15 games. Boeser is currently on the second even-strength line with rookie phenom Elias Pettersson and Nikolay Goldobin as well as the first power-play unit. Boeser has 13.9 FPPG and is an affordable $6,100 in FanDuel. Boeser draws a solid Dallas Stars team in his Saturday night match-up. Boeser should be able to tally some points in that match-up so snatch him up and use his points to your advantage.

Defense

Mike Green (DET): $4,700 vs BOS
Green is an oldie but a goodie. Green is no stranger to putting points up on the board. Green has made a career out of being an offensive defenseman. After a few injuries this year, Green looks to be continuing his history of scoring. Green is running the top defensive pairing and running the point on the top power-play unit as well. Green has 2 goals and 11 assists in 16 games and 1 goal and 3 assists in the last 3 games. Green has a 12.7 FPPG for a fair $4,700. Green gets a tough match-up against the Boston Bruins on Saturday night. The Bruins have given up the fewest goals in the league this season. That being said, Green has experience against all levels of talent and should be able to contribute to your FanDuel squad.

Oscar Klefbom (EDM): $4,900 vs VGK
Klefbom has been heating up of late. Klefbom has had a fair start to the season. Klefbom is looking to bounce back after a lackluster campaign last year. The former first rounder has had difficulties sustaining consistent production so far in his young career. Klefbom has 2 goals and 11 assists through 25 games and has 2 goals and 3 assists in his last 3 games. Klefbom has 12.9 FPPG and is on the top defensive pairing and power play unit. Klefbom has a difficult match-up against Vegas on Saturday but should be able to get his name on the scoring sheet and contribute to your FanDuel’s team victory.

Goalie

Alexandar Georgiev (NYR): $7,700 vs MON
Georgiev might be the eventual successor to the reign of King Henrik Lundqvist. So far in his rookie season, Georgiev has performed decently for a rookie goaltender. Georgiev is 4-3 with a 3.11 GAA and a save percentage of .903. With a spot start, to give Henrik Lundqvist an extra day off, against the Canadiens. Georgiev has 17.9 FPPG and is worth a bargain-priced $7,700. Georgiev has a decent match-up on Saturday against the Canadiens. Georgiev could sneak your FanDuel squad a win over the Canadiens on Saturday.